System and method to improve graphic user interface content layout based on usage information

ABSTRACT

An information handling system obtains input pointer information originating from an input pointing device, obtains an existing wireframe model of a graphic user interface (GUI) content layout, and analyzes a user journey through the GUI content layout to obtain usage information. The information handling system may tag regions of the existing wireframe model based on the usage information, and rearrange the existing wireframe model to provide an improved wireframe model representative of an improved GUI content layout.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/674,220, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING USERINTENT USING FOUR-DIMENSIONAL COORDINATES OF AN INPUT POINTER” filed onNov. 5, 2019 (Attorney Docket No. DC-116938), the entirety of which isherein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to information handlingsystems, and more particularly a method to improve graphic userinterface (GUI) content layout based on usage information.

BACKGROUND

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option is an information handling system. An information handlingsystem generally processes, compiles, stores, or communicatesinformation or data for business, personal, or other purposes.Technology and information handling needs and requirements can varybetween different applications. Thus information handling systems canalso vary regarding what information is handled, how the information ishandled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, andhow quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, orcommunicated. The variations in information handling systems allowinformation handling systems to be general or configured for a specificuser or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airlinereservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. Inaddition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardwareand software resources that can be configured to process, store, andcommunicate information and can include one or more computer systems,graphics interface systems, data storage systems, networking systems,and mobile communication systems. Information handling systems can alsoimplement various virtualized architectures. Data and voicecommunications among information handling systems may be via networksthat are wired, wireless, or some combination.

SUMMARY

An information handling system may obtain input pointer informationoriginating from an input pointing device, obtain an existing wireframemodel of a graphic user interface (GUI) content layout, and analyze auser journey through the GUI content layout to obtain usage information.The information handling system may tag regions of the existingwireframe model based on the usage information, and rearrange theexisting wireframe model to provide an improved wireframe modelrepresentative of an improved GUI content layout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements illustrated in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relativeto other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the presentdisclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings herein,in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an information handling systemaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating tracking of a user's journey on aGUI content layout according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a user's journey as trackedaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating identification of elements of aGUI content layout based on usage information according to an embodimentof the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description in combination with the Figures is provided toassist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The descriptionis focused on specific implementations and embodiments of the teachings,and is provided to assist in describing the teachings. This focus shouldnot be interpreted as a limitation on the scope or applicability of theteachings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized embodiment of information handlingsystem 100. For purpose of this disclosure information handling system100 can include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalitiesoperable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve,originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce,handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data forbusiness, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. Forexample, information handling system 100 can be a personal computer, alaptop computer, a smart phone, a tablet device or other consumerelectronic device, a network server, a network storage device, a switchrouter or other network communication device, or any other suitabledevice and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, andprice. Further, information handling system 100 can include processingresources for executing machine-executable code, such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a programmable logic array (PLA), an embeddeddevice such as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logichardware. Information handling system 100 can also include one or morecomputer-readable medium for storing machine-executable code, such assoftware or data. Additional components of information handling system100 can include one or more storage devices that can storemachine-executable code, one or more communications ports forcommunicating with external devices, and various input and output (I/O)devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. Informationhandling system 100 can also include one or more buses operable totransmit information between the various hardware components.

Information handling system 100 can include devices or modules thatembody one or more of the devices or modules described above, andoperates to perform one or more of the methods described above.Information handling system 100 includes a processors 102 and 104, achipset 110, a memory 120, a graphics adapter 130, include a basic inputand output system/extensible firmware interface (BIOS/EFI) module 140, adisk controller 150, a disk emulator 160, an input/output (I/O)interface 170, and a network interface 180. Processor 102 is connectedto chipset 110 via processor interface 106, and processor 104 isconnected to chipset 110 via processor interface 108. Memory 120 isconnected to chipset 110 via a memory bus 122. Graphics adapter 130 isconnected to chipset 110 via a graphics interface 132, and provides avideo display output 136 to a video display 134. In a particularembodiment, information handling system 100 includes separate memoriesthat are dedicated to each of processors 102 and 104 via separate memoryinterfaces. An example of memory 120 includes random access memory (RAM)such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM(NV-RAM), or the like, read only memory (ROM), another type of memory,or a combination thereof.

BIOS/EFI module 140, disk controller 150, and I/O interface 170 areconnected to chipset 110 via an I/O channel 112. An example of I/Ochannel 112 includes a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)interface, a PCI-Extended (PCI-X) interface, a high-speed PCI-Express(PCIe) interface, another industry standard or proprietary communicationinterface, or a combination thereof. Chipset 110 can also include one ormore other I/O interfaces, including an Industry Standard Architecture(ISA) interface, a Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI) interface, anInter-Integrated Circuit (I²C) interface, a Serial Peripheral Interface(SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), another interface, or a combinationthereof. BIOS/EFI module 140 includes BIOS/EFI code operable to detectresources within information handling system 100, to provide drivers forthe resources, initialize the resources, and access the resources.BIOS/EFI module 140 includes code that operates to detect resourceswithin information handling system 100, to provide drivers for theresources, to initialize the resources, and to access the resources.

Disk controller 150 includes a disk interface 152 that connects the disccontroller to a hard disk drive (HDD) 154, to an optical disk drive(ODD) 156, and to disk emulator 160. An example of disk interface 152includes an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, an AdvancedTechnology Attachment (ATA) such as a parallel ATA (PATA) interface or aserial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface, a USB interface, aproprietary interface, or a combination thereof. Disk emulator 160permits a solid-state drive 164 to be connected to information handlingsystem 100 via an external interface 162. An example of externalinterface 162 includes a USB interface, an IEEE 1194 (Firewire)interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof.Alternatively, solid-state drive 164 can be disposed within informationhandling system 100.

I/O interface 170 includes a peripheral interface 172 that connects theI/O interface to an add-on resource 174 and to network interface 180.Peripheral interface 172 can be the same type of interface as I/Ochannel 112, or can be a different type of interface. As such, I/Ointerface 170 extends the capacity of I/O channel 112 when peripheralinterface 172 and the I/O channel are of the same type, and the I/Ointerface translates information from a format suitable to the I/Ochannel to a format suitable to the peripheral channel 172 when they areof a different type. Add-on resource 174 can include a data storagesystem, an additional graphics interface, a network interface card(NIC), a sound/video processing card, another add-on resource, or acombination thereof. Add-on resource 174 can be on a main circuit board,on separate circuit board or add-in card disposed within informationhandling system 100, a device that is external to the informationhandling system, or a combination thereof.

Network interface 180 represents a NIC disposed within informationhandling system 100, on a main circuit board of the information handlingsystem, integrated onto another component such as chipset 110, inanother suitable location, or a combination thereof. Network interfacedevice 180 includes network channels 182 and 184 that provide interfacesto devices that are external to information handling system 100. In aparticular embodiment, network channels 182 and 184 are of a differenttype than peripheral channel 172 and network interface 180 translatesinformation from a format suitable to the peripheral channel to a formatsuitable to external devices. An example of network channels 182 and 184includes InfiniB and channels, Fibre Channel channels, Gigabit Ethernetchannels, proprietary channel architectures, or a combination thereof.Network channels 182 and 184 can be connected to external networkresources (not illustrated). The network resource can include anotherinformation handling system, a data storage system, another network, agrid management system, another suitable resource, or a combinationthereof.

BMC 190 is connected by a management interface 192 to a plurality ofsystem components, such as processor 102, processor 104, memory 120,chipset 110, graphics adapter 130, I/O interface 170, disk controller150, NVRAM module 140, TPM 176, network interface 180, and add-onresource 174. BMC 190 is connected to an external management interface194 for platform management by an external IHS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating tracking of a user's journey on aGUI content layout according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.GUI content layout 200 comprises tabs 211, 212, 213, and 214, useraccount tool 215, data graph 216, topical items 217, 218, 219, 220, 221,and 222, overview panel 223, management item enumerations 224 and 225,and report 226, which are exemplary among a wide variety of possibleelements that may or may not be included in a GUI content layout, suchas GUI content layout 200. With respect to GUI content layout 200, auser's journey is depicted, including points obtained from input pointerdevice coordinates and paths between them, which form a trajectory ofuser input information. Point 201 is placed based on a user's input bypositioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x1, y1, z1, t1). Point 202 is placed based on a user'sinput by positioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x2, y2, z2, t2). Point 203 is placed based on a user'sinput by positioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x3, y3, z3, t3). Point 204 is placed based on a user'sinput by positioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x4, y4, z4, t4). Point 205 is placed based on a user'sinput by positioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x5, y5, z5, t5). Point 206 is placed based on a user'sinput by positioning an input pointing device to point to a point whosecoordinates are (x6, y6, z6, t6). As shown, point 201 is on tab 211,points 202 and 203 are on a portion of the trajectory from tab 211 totopical item 217, point 204 is on topical item 217, point 205 is ontopical item 220, and point 206 extends the trajectory beyond topicalitem 220.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a user's journey as trackedaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure. User journey 300comprises points 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 and the paths fromeach one to the next. Points 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 span ahorizontal range 301, a vertical range 302, and a displacement 303.Horizontal range 301 extends from coordinate x1 to coordinate x6.Horizontal range 301 can be calculated by subtracting a horizontalcoordinate x1 of point 201 from a horizontal coordinate x6 of point 206.To avoid making an assumption that point 201 is the leftmost point andpoint 206 is the rightmost point, the horizontal coordinates of each ofpoints 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 could be compared to each otherto find the one having the lowest value of its horizontal coordinate,which would be the leftmost point, and to find the one having thehighest value of its horizontal coordinate, which would be the leftmostpoint. Horizontal range 301 would be the difference of thehighest-valued horizontal coordinate and the lowest-valued horizontalcoordinate. Vertical range 302 extends from coordinates y1 and z1 tocoordinates y6 and z6. In the event no scrolling has occurred, asindicated by the z coordinates of the points remaining unchanged,vertical range 302 can be calculated by subtracting the verticalcoordinate y1 of point 201 from the vertical coordinate y6 of point 206.To avoid making an assumption that point 201 is the uppermost point andpoint 206 is the lowermost point, the vertical coordinates of each ofpoints 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, and 206 could be compared to each otherto find the one having the lowest value of its vertical coordinate,which would be the uppermost point (assuming the vertical coordinatevalues ascend in a downward direction), and to find the one having thehighest value of its vertical coordinate, which would be the leftmostpoint (assuming the vertical coordinate values ascend in a downwarddirection). Horizontal range 301 would be the difference of thehighest-valued horizontal coordinate and the lowest-valued horizontalcoordinate. In the event that scrolling occurs, a combination of thevertical coordinate (y coordinate) value and the scrolling coordinate (zcoordinate) value can be used in place of the vertical coordinate (ycoordinate) value described above. For example, a combination may bedetermined by adding a vertical coordinate (y coordinate) value to theproduct of its corresponding scrolling coordinate (z coordinate) value(divided by one hundred in the case of a percentage) times the overallheight of the contiguous presentation of displayable information throughwhich the scrolling may be performed. The combined value so obtained maybe used in place of the vertical coordinate (y coordinate) valuedescribed above to determine the vertical range, as well as to determinedisplacement 303 in the event of scrolling, as will be described below.As another example, vertical coordinate values that ascend in an upwarddirection can be accommodated by subtracting them from a screen heightof the display screen In the case of scrolling, such a difference can beadded to the product of the vertical coordinate value's correspondingscrolling coordinate (z coordinate) value (divided by one hundred in thecase of a percentage) times the overall height of the contiguouspresentation of displayable information through which the scrolling maybe performed. Displacement 303 extends from coordinate x1 to coordinatex6 in the x direction and from coordinates y1 and z1 to coordinates y6and z6 in the y and z direction. Displacement 303 can be determined, forexample, by determining the square root of the sum of the square of thehorizontal range 301 and the square of the vertical range 302. In theevent that an intermediate point, such as any of points 202, 203, 204,or 205, provided excursion beyond the values of the coordinates ofterminal points 201 and 206, one or more of horizontal range 301,vertical range 302, and displacement 303 could be defined with respectto one or more coordinates of one or more of an intermediate pointinstead of one or more of the terminal points. For example, ifcoordinate x5 of point 205 were greater than coordinate x6 of point 206,horizontal range 301 could extend from coordinate x1 of point 201 tocoordinate x5 of point 205, and displacement 303 could be adjustedaccordingly based on horizontal range 301. A speed of movement over thedisplacement 303 can be determined by dividing the displacement 303 bythe different in time indicated by a difference in time coordinates (tcoordinates) of the points at the ends of the displacement 303. Forexample, to determine a speed of movement from point 201 to point 206,the square root of the sum of the square of the difference betweenhorizontal coordinate value x6 of point 206 and horizontal coordinatevalue x1 of point 201 and the square of the difference between verticalcoordinate value y6 of point 206 and vertical coordinate value y1 ofpoint 201 (in a non-scrolling example) can be divided by the differencebetween time coordinate value t6 of point 206 and time coordinate valuet1 of point 201. Analysis with finer granularity of the trajectory canbe performed by performing the above determinations with respect to moreclosely spaced points, such as between point 201 and point 202, betweenpoint 202 and point 203, between point 203 and point 204, between point204 and point 205, and between point 205 and point 206. Analysis withintermediate granularity of the trajectory can be performed byperforming the above determinations with respect to other combinationsof points, such as between point 201 and point 203 and between point 203and point 206.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating identification of elements of aGUI content layout based on usage information according to an embodimentof the present disclosure. Evaluation output 400 for GUI content layout200 shows the wireframe elements of GUI content layout 200 and alsoincludes indications of results of evaluation of usage of GUI contentlayout 200 by one or more users. Evaluation performed on usageinformation shows regions 401, 402, 403, and 404, correspondingrespectively to data graph 216, tabs 212 and 213, and user account tool205, as never having been clicked by a user, as denoted by horizontaland vertical crosshatching, labelled “never clicked section.” Evaluationperformed on the usage information shows regions 407, 408, and 409,corresponding respectively to overview panel 223, management itemenumeration 224, and management item enumeration 225, as being among theleast clicked sections, as denoted by diagonal crosshatching, labelled“least clicked section.” Evaluation performed on the usage informationshows regions 405 and 406, corresponding respectively to topical items218 and 219, as being among the most clicked sections, as denoted byhatching rising diagonally from left to right, labelled “most clickedsection.” Evaluation performed on the usage information shows regions410 and 411, corresponding respectively to topical items 220 and 221, asbeing sections the user has reached in a minimum amount of time,labelled “section user have reached in minimum time.”

Based on evaluation output 400, the GUI content layout 200 can beimproved by rearranging, adding, or deleting elements of GUI contentlayout 200. As an example, data graph 216 in never-clicked region 401could be relocated to a position where it is visible but out of the wayof a user trajectory to more frequently used elements, such as topicalitems 218 and 219 in most-clicked regions 405 and 406. As an example,topical items 218 and 219 could be moved to the left of data graph 216,and data graph 216 could be moved to the right of topical items 218 and219. Thus, automatic improvement of wireframes can be provided and canprovide automatic improvement of GUI content layout and functionality.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to anembodiment of the present disclosure. Method 500 begins at block 501 andcontinues to block 502. At block 502, an IHS obtains input pointerinformation. The input pointer information is information obtained froman input pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, a glide pad, atouchscreen, a gesture detection system, a graphics input tablet, thelike, or a combination thereof. As an example, input pointer informationcan include coordinates, which can indicate position, movement, or both,of a location of focus, such as a mouse pointer, of a user's interactionwith a GUI. From block 502, method 500 continues to block 503. At block503, the IHS obtains an existing wireframe model of the GUI contentlayout. From block 503, method 500 continues to block 504. At block 504,the IHS analyzes a user journey through the GUI content layout to obtainusage information. As an example, among the input pointer information,combinations of points and times at which they occur along the userjourney can define a user trajectory through elements presented via theGUI. By mapping such a trajectory to the GUI content layout modeled bythe wireframe model, usage information may be obtained in space andtime. From block 504, method 500 continues to block 505. At block 505,the IHS tags regions of the wireframe model based on the usageinformation. Examples of such tagging can be seen in FIG. 4. From block505, method 500 continues to block 506. At block 506, the IHS rearrangesthe wireframe model to provide an improved GUI content layout. As anexample, an optimization process may be used to implement therearrangement. For example, two or more elements of the GUI contentlayout may be rearranged relative to one another as a proposedrearrangement. Then, the usage information previously obtained from thejourneys of one or more users can be used to simulate the performance bythe one or more users of the same journeys through the proposedrearrangement of the GUI content layout. Metrics can be obtained onsimulated usage information of the proposed rearrangement to yield anevaluation output similar to the evaluation output shown in FIG. 4, butfor the proposed rearrangement. The evaluation output of the existingGUI content layout can be compared to the evaluation output for theproposed rearrangement of the GUI content layout. If the evaluationoutput of the proposed rearrangement of the GUI content layout is judgedto be superior to the evaluation output of the existing GUI contentlayout, the GUI content layout can be automatically rearranged byrearranging the wireframe model to provide an improved GUI contentlayout according to the proposed rearrangement. If the proposedrearrangement were not found to be superior, alternative proposedrearrangements can be proposed and evaluated until a superiorrearrangement is identified, at which point the GUI content layout canbe automatically rearranged by rearranging the wireframe model toprovide an improved GUI content layout according to the superiorrearrangement. Even if the proposed rearrangement is judged to besuperior, alternative proposed rearrangement can be proposed andevaluated, either based on the same input pointer information or as newinput pointer information becomes available, to continue to favorablyrefine the GUI content layout.

Software applications executed on an information handling system (IHS)typically provide for the visual display of information to a user via agraphic user interface (GUI). For example, the GUI may be instantiatedin hardware using video display 134 of FIG. 1. The content to bedisplayed via the GUI is laid out to allow a user to select desiredinformation and functions. As an example, a menu or a series of tabs mayallow a user to select among a plurality of pages of information orfunctions to be performed. The arrangement of the GUI content layout maybe defined or expressed using wireframes, which are shapes andconnections used to denote the relationships of the elements of the GUIcontent layout without full rendering of the elements themselves. Thereare multiple approaches that the user interface/user experience (UI/UX)teams adopt to design wireframes. These approaches are built on theassumption of a generic user's behavior. These assumptions may be notappropriate and may not always be used as a reference to designproducts. For example, individuals of different age groups, genders,mindsets, and so on may use the same application in different ways andalso have different approaches towards using an application. Bydesigning wireframes according to an assumption of a generic user'sbehavior, UI/UX teams do not necessarily design wireframes that arecompatible across a majority of actual users.

Accordingly, a method and apparatus are described herein to reveal notonly the most used features or the least used features but also thereachability of the features for a user navigating the GUI contentlayout. Based on such information, guidance is provided as to how andwhere elements can be placed for better reachability. Hence,recommendations can be made for the improved wireframes, which improvethe usability of a GUI.

Input pointer information from an input pointer device, such as a mousedevice, can be obtained to determine movement of an input pointingdevice by a user as the user selects features accessible via a GUI. Theinput pointer information can be recorded as four-dimensional coordinatevalues, where the dimensions can be an x axis, a y axis orthogonal tothe x axis, a z axis representative of an amount of scrolling in adirection of the y axis, and a t axis representative of time. The inputpointer information can be collected from an IHS and uploaded to aserver.

The input pointer information can be analyzed to reconstruct a user'strajectory through the GUI content layout based on the user's usage ofthe GUI. The analysis can be conducted specifically for a particularuser or can be conducted across a range of experiences of a plurality ofusers using the GUI. As one example, analysis can be applied generallyto produce an improved common GUI content layout to be provided to aplurality of users. As another example, analysis can be appliedspecifically to produce an improved specific GUI content layout to beprovided to a specific subset of the plurality of users (e.g., to aspecific single user) without being generalized to other users.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided to findhow and where elements can be placed for better reachability. Inaccordance with at least one embodiment, a method provides automation ofwireframe creation without any human intervention. Such a method caninclude evaluation of various external factors, such as different users'behavior when using the same application. In accordance with at leastone embodiment, a tag is applied to a portion of a particular instanceof a GUI content layout. The tag can be applied according to one or moreof the following factors, which can be used to design an improvedwireframe for the GUI content layout: sections that are least clicked,sections with most number of clicks, sections on which the user spendsthe longest time, sections on which the user spends the shortest time,sections which the user reaches with maximum time, and sections whichthe user reaches with minimum time.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method comprisesobtaining, at an information handling system (IHS), input pointerinformation originating from an input pointing device; obtaining, at theIHS, an existing wireframe model of a graphic user interface (GUI)content layout; analyzing, at the IHS, a user journey through the GUIcontent layout to obtain usage information; tagging, at the IHS, regionsof the existing wireframe model based on the usage information; andrearranging, at the IHS, the existing wireframe model to provide animproved wireframe model representative of an improved GUI contentlayout. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rearrangingcomprises proposing, at the IHS, a proposed rearrangement of two or moreelements of the existing wireframe model based on the tagging;performing, at the IHS, simulated usage of the proposed rearrangementaccording to the user journey to obtain simulated usage information; andevaluating, at the IHS, the proposed rearrangement based on thesimulated usage information. In accordance with at least one embodiment,the rearranging further comprises judging, at the IHS, the proposedrearrangement to be superior based on the simulated usage information;and adopting, at the IHS, the improved wireframe model to provide theimproved GUI content layout. In accordance with at least one embodiment,the rearranging further comprises judging, at the IHS, the proposedrearrangement not to be superior based on the simulated usageinformation; proposing, at the IHS, an alternative proposedrearrangement of two or more elements of the existing wireframe modelbased on the tagging; performing, at the IHS, simulated usage of thealternative proposed rearrangement according to the user journey toobtain simulated usage information; and evaluating, at the IHS, thealternative proposed rearrangement based on the simulated usageinformation. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rearrangingfurther comprises, after the adopting, continuing, at the IHS, topropose and evaluate alternative proposed rearrangements for possiblesuperiority to the improved wireframe model. In accordance with at leastone embodiment, the continuing is a based on the input pointerinformation previously obtained. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the continuing is based on newly available input pointerinformation.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, an information handlingsystem (IHS) comprises memory and a processor, the processor configuredto obtain input pointer information originating from an input pointingdevice, to obtain an existing wireframe model of a graphic userinterface (GUI) content layout, to analyze a user journey through theGUI content layout to obtain usage information, to tag regions of theexisting wireframe model based on the usage information, and torearrange the existing wireframe model to provide an improved wireframemodel representative of an improved GUI content layout. In accordancewith at least one embodiment, the processor is further configured topropose a proposed rearrangement of two or more elements of the existingwireframe model based on the tagging, to perform simulated usage of theproposed rearrangement according to the user journey to obtain simulatedusage information, and to evaluate the proposed rearrangement based onthe simulated usage information. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the processor is further configured to judge the proposedrearrangement to be superior based on the simulated usage informationand to adopt the improved wireframe model to provide the improved GUIcontent layout. In accordance with at least one embodiment, theprocessor is further configured to judge the proposed rearrangement notto be superior based on the simulated usage information, to propose analternative proposed rearrangement of two or more elements of theexisting wireframe model based on the tagging, to perform simulatedusage of the alternative proposed rearrangement according to the userjourney to obtain simulated usage information, and to evaluate thealternative proposed rearrangement based on the simulated usageinformation. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the processoris further configured to continue, after the adopting, to propose andevaluate alternative proposed rearrangements for possible superiority tothe improved wireframe model. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the continuing is a based on the input pointer informationpreviously obtained. In accordance with at least one embodiment, thecontinuing is based on newly available input pointer information.

In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method comprisesobtaining, at an information handling system (IHS), input pointerinformation originating from an input pointing device; obtaining, at theIHS, an existing wireframe model of a graphic user interface (GUI)content layout; analyzing, at the IHS, a plurality of user journeysthrough the GUI content layout to obtain usage information; qualifying,at the IHS, regions of the existing wireframe model based on the usageinformation, the qualifying reflective of access qualities of theregions with respect to the usage information; and rearranging, at theIHS, the existing wireframe model to provide an improved wireframe modelrepresentative of an improved GUI content layout. In accordance with atleast one embodiment, the rearranging further comprises proposing, atthe IHS, a proposed rearrangement of two or more elements of theexisting wireframe model based on the tagging; performing, at the IHS,simulated usage of the proposed rearrangement according to the userjourney to obtain simulated usage information; and evaluating, at theIHS, the proposed rearrangement based on the simulated usageinformation. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rearrangingfurther comprises judging, at the IHS, the proposed rearrangement to besuperior based on the simulated usage information; and adopting, at theIHS, the improved wireframe model to provide the improved GUI contentlayout. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the rearrangingfurther comprises judging, at the IHS, the proposed rearrangement not tobe superior based on the simulated usage information; proposing, at theIHS, an alternative proposed rearrangement of two or more elements ofthe existing wireframe model based on the tagging; performing, at theIHS, simulated usage of the alternative proposed rearrangement accordingto the user journey to obtain simulated usage information; andevaluating, at the IHS, the alternative proposed rearrangement based onthe simulated usage information. In accordance with at least oneembodiment, the rearranging further comprises, after the adopting,continuing, at the IHS, to propose and evaluate alternative proposedrearrangements for possible superiority to the improved wireframe model.In accordance with at least one embodiment, the continuing is based onnewly available input pointer information.

For purpose of this disclosure an information handling system caninclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, theinformation handling system can be a personal computer, a laptopcomputer, a smart phone, a tablet device or other consumer electronicdevice, a network server, a network storage device, a switch router orother network communication device, or any other suitable device and mayvary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. Further, theinformation handling system can include processing resources forexecuting machine-executable code, such as a central processing unit(CPU), a programmable logic array (PLA), an embedded device such as aSystem-on-a-Chip (SoC), or other control logic hardware. An informationhandling system can also include one or more computer-readable mediumfor storing machine-executable code, such as software or data.Additional components of an information handling system can include oneor more storage devices that can store machine-executable code, one ormore communications ports for communicating with external devices, andvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. Information handling systems can also include one ormore buses operable to transmit information between the various hardwarecomponents.

When referred to as a “device,” a “module,” a “unit,” a “controller,” orthe like, the embodiments described herein can be configured ashardware. For example, a portion of an information handling systemdevice may be hardware such as, for example, an integrated circuit (suchas an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a FieldProgrammable Gate Array (FPGA), a structured ASIC, or a device embeddedon a larger chip), a card (such as a Peripheral Component Interface(PCI) card, a PCI-express card, a Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association (PCMCIA) card, or other such expansion card),or a system (such as a motherboard, a system-on-a-chip (SoC), or astand-alone device).

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions or receives and executes instructions responsiveto a propagated signal; so that a device connected to a network cancommunicate voice, video or data over the network. Further, theinstructions may be transmitted or received over the network via thenetwork interface device.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories.

Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory orother volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readablemedium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a diskor tapes or other storage device to store information received viacarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although only a few exemplary embodiments have been described in detailabove, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that manymodifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of theembodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of theembodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the followingclaims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to coverthe structures described herein as performing the recited function andnot only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

1. A method comprising: obtaining, at an information handling system(IHS), input pointer information originating from an input pointingdevice; obtaining, at the IHS, an existing wireframe model of a graphicuser interface (GUI) content layout; analyzing, at the IHS, a userjourney through the GUI content layout to obtain usage information, theuser journey comprising points and paths from each point of the pointsto a next point of the points, respectively; tagging, at the IHS,regions of the existing wireframe model based on the usage information;and rearranging, at the IHS, the existing wireframe model to provide animproved wireframe model representative of an improved GUI contentlayout.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the rearranging comprises:proposing, at the IHS, a proposed rearrangement of two or more elementsof the existing wireframe model based on the tagging; performing, at theIHS, simulated usage of the proposed rearrangement according to the userjourney to obtain simulated usage information; and evaluating, at theIHS, the proposed rearrangement based on the simulated usageinformation.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the rearranging furthercomprises: judging, at the IHS, the proposed rearrangement to besuperior based on the simulated usage information; and adopting, at theIHS, the improved wireframe model to provide the improved GUI contentlayout.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the rearranging furthercomprises: judging, at the IHS, the proposed rearrangement not to besuperior based on the simulated usage information; proposing, at theIHS, an alternative proposed rearrangement of the two or more elementsof the existing wireframe model based on the tagging; performing, at theIHS, simulated usage of the alternative proposed rearrangement accordingto the user journey to obtain simulated usage information; andevaluating, at the IHS, the alternative proposed rearrangement based onthe simulated usage information.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein therearranging further comprises: after the adopting, continuing, at theIHS, to propose and evaluate alternative proposed rearrangements forpossible superiority to the improved wireframe model.
 6. The method ofclaim 5, wherein the continuing is based on the input pointerinformation previously obtained.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein thecontinuing is based on newly available input pointer information.
 8. Aninformation handling system (IHS) comprising: memory; and a processor incommunication with the memory, the processor configured to obtain inputpointer information originating from an input pointing device, to obtainan existing wireframe model of a graphic user interface (GUI) contentlayout, to analyze a user journey through the GUI content layout toobtain usage information, to tag regions of the existing wireframe modelbased on the usage information, and to rearrange the existing wireframemodel to provide an improved wireframe model representative of animproved GUI content layout, the user journey comprising points andpaths from each point of the points to a next point of the points,respectively.
 9. The IHS of claim 8, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to propose a proposed rearrangement of two or more elementsof the existing wireframe model based on the tagging, to performsimulated usage of the proposed rearrangement according to the userjourney to obtain simulated usage information, and to evaluate theproposed rearrangement based on the simulated usage information.
 10. TheIHS of claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured to judge theproposed rearrangement to be superior based on the simulated usageinformation and to adopt the improved wireframe model to provide theimproved GUI content layout.
 11. The IHS of claim 9, wherein theprocessor is further configured to judge the proposed rearrangement notto be superior based on the simulated usage information, to propose analternative proposed rearrangement of the two or more elements of theexisting wireframe model based on the tagging, to perform alternativesimulated usage of the alternative proposed rearrangement according tothe user journey to obtain alternative simulated usage information, andto evaluate the alternative proposed rearrangement based on thealternative simulated usage information.
 12. The IHS of claim 11,wherein the processor is further configured to continue, after adoptingthe improved wireframe model, to propose and evaluate alternativeproposed rearrangements for possible superiority to the improvedwireframe model.
 13. The IHS of claim 12, wherein the continuing isbased on the input pointer information previously obtained.
 14. The IHSof claim 12, wherein the continuing is based on newly available inputpointer information.
 15. A method comprising: obtaining, at aninformation handling system (IHS), input pointer information originatingfrom an input pointing device; obtaining, at the IHS, an existingwireframe model of a graphic user interface (GUI) content layout;analyzing, at the IHS, a plurality of user journeys through the GUIcontent layout to obtain usage information, each of the user journeyscomprising points and paths from each point of the points to a nextpoint of the points, respectively; qualifying, at the IHS, regions ofthe existing wireframe model based on the usage information, thequalifying reflective of access qualities of the regions with respect tothe usage information, the access qualities comprising four-dimensionalcoordinate values with respect to an x axis, a y axis orthogonal to thex axis, a z axis representative of an amount of scrolling in a directionof the y axis, and a t axis representative of time; and rearranging, atthe IHS, the existing wireframe model to provide an improved wireframemodel representative of an improved GUI content layout.
 16. The methodof claim 15, wherein the rearranging further comprises: proposing, atthe IHS, a proposed rearrangement of two or more elements of theexisting wireframe model; performing, at the IHS, simulated usage of theproposed rearrangement according to the user journey to obtain simulatedusage information; and evaluating, at the IHS, the proposedrearrangement based on the simulated usage information.
 17. The methodof claim 16, wherein the rearranging further comprises: judging, at theIHS, the proposed rearrangement to be superior based on the simulatedusage information; and adopting, at the IHS, the improved wireframemodel to provide the improved GUI content layout.
 18. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the rearranging further comprises: judging, at theIHS, the proposed rearrangement not to be superior based on thesimulated usage information; proposing, at the IHS, an alternativeproposed rearrangement of the two or more elements of the existingwireframe model; performing, at the IHS, alternative simulated usage ofthe alternative proposed rearrangement according to the user journey toobtain alternative simulated usage information; and evaluating, at theIHS, the alternative proposed rearrangement based on the alternativesimulated usage information.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein therearranging further comprises: after the adopting, continuing, at theIHS, to propose and evaluate alternative proposed rearrangements forpossible superiority to the improved wireframe model.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the continuing is based on newly available inputpointer information.